This bill proposes a significant restructuring of the Youth Development Center (YDC) claims administration by transferring the position of claims administrator from the executive branch to the judicial branch. Specifically, the bill amends RSA 21-M:11-a, III to establish the claims administrator as a position appointed by the Supreme Court rather than the governor with the consent of the executive council. The Supreme Court will appoint the administrator based on recommendations from both the attorney general and counsel for claimants, ensuring a collaborative selection process. Additionally, the bill allows the administrator to maintain a private practice while serving in this role and stipulates that the administrator's decisions will be final and non-appealable, with the Supreme Court having no authority to review these decisions.

Furthermore, the bill removes certain provisions related to the claims process that were established in 2025, including the payment of attorney's fees in cases involving periodic payments, the time frame for accepting the administrator's decisions, and specific reporting requirements. The amendments include a shift from monthly to quarterly reporting to legislative leaders and the joint fiscal committee, while also ensuring the privacy of claimants is protected. The bill aims to streamline the claims process and enhance the efficiency of the YDC claims administration by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the newly appointed claims administrator. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-M:11-a
SB558 text: 21-M:11-a